WHO Warns Against India-Made Cough Syrups After Toxic Chemical Discovery

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global safety alert after finding that three cough syrup brands manufactured in India are contaminated with toxic substances. The affected syrups COLDRIF, Respifresh TR, and ReLife have been linked to the deaths of more than a dozen children in different countries, according to the WHO’s official statement.

The products were primarily exported to treat cough and flu-related illnesses, but have now been recalled worldwide following laboratory tests that detected harmful chemicals.

The syrups were produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma, all based in India. WHO said the medicines tested positive for diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), toxic industrial compounds that can cause severe kidney and liver damage, especially in children.

These compounds are sometimes used as cheap substitutes for pharmaceutical-grade solvents, but even small amounts can be lethal. The global health body said the contamination indicates serious lapses in manufacturing and quality control.

WHO has urged national health authorities across all member countries to immediately stop the sale, distribution, and use of these syrups. It has also called for stricter quality checks on medicines produced for export.

The organization emphasized that governments must ensure that pharmaceutical companies comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to prevent such incidents from recurring.

This marks the latest in a series of safety warnings involving Indian-manufactured cough syrups. Similar incidents were previously reported in The Gambia (2022) and Uzbekistan (2023), where contaminated medicines led to child fatalities.

India is one of the world’s largest producers of generic medicines and exports pharmaceuticals to over 150 countries. The recent WHO alert has once again drawn attention to the need for stronger regulatory oversight within the industry.

Health authorities in India have yet to issue an official response to WHO’s findings.